The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin revolves around the central storyline of the plight of Uncle Tom, an African-American slave who is sold off by his indifferent master, in order to appease his creditors.Although his master appears first to be a kind man, one who is reluctant to sell off his most trusted slave, it transpires that Tom is just that, just a slave to this man. The fate of Eliza, George and Harry Harris ,who attempt to escape the injustice of the United States and travel (both Harry and Eliza belonging to the same Mr. Shelby as Uncle Tom) to Canada, is also documented. Fortunately Tom is sold to a kind owner by the name of St.Clare, whose daughter Tom saves from drowning. A great friendship arises between Tom and St. Clare's daughter, Eva, on the basis of Eva's "perfection of childish beauty" and Tom's pious nature. However after the untimely passing of both St.Clare and Eva ,Tom is sold to a barbarian of a man who beats Tom to death. this is much to the dismay of Mr. Shelby's son George who had been searching for his adopted uncle.
The author Harriet Beecher Stowe was beloved by her audience at the time, her book selling more than a million copies in the U.S. alone and providing tinder for the Civil War, and millions today. After the abolition of slavery Stowe also campaigned for the rights of a married woman.
I was moved by the sheer passion of the author on this subject of slavery, particularly the exploration of how a slave is just born into a life of toil. In the book, characters also discuss how in their moral principles, based upon Christianity, all men are equal. This evidently does not extend to the black slaves, in their eyes. in particular i found the murder of Uncle Tom to be a powerful example of this. An honest, caring, and deeply spiritual man is sacrificed in a way almost reminiscent of the figure Christ whom he took so much strength from, even forgiving his murderers before his passing. Tom died to ignite the abolitionist movement and save his fellow slaves from punishment. I found this to be a powerful example of the strength and resolve of human character but the novel also provided a reminder of its wickedness.
Oisín Stephens
The author Harriet Beecher Stowe was beloved by her audience at the time, her book selling more than a million copies in the U.S. alone and providing tinder for the Civil War, and millions today. After the abolition of slavery Stowe also campaigned for the rights of a married woman.
I was moved by the sheer passion of the author on this subject of slavery, particularly the exploration of how a slave is just born into a life of toil. In the book, characters also discuss how in their moral principles, based upon Christianity, all men are equal. This evidently does not extend to the black slaves, in their eyes. in particular i found the murder of Uncle Tom to be a powerful example of this. An honest, caring, and deeply spiritual man is sacrificed in a way almost reminiscent of the figure Christ whom he took so much strength from, even forgiving his murderers before his passing. Tom died to ignite the abolitionist movement and save his fellow slaves from punishment. I found this to be a powerful example of the strength and resolve of human character but the novel also provided a reminder of its wickedness.
Oisín Stephens